Stuck in 4WD!?

Keith11a · Nov 22, 2020

Dear Landed Gentry (and Ladyships)
I would be extremely grateful for your wisdom on a problem that I have hit with my Defender 110 crewcab, 2.5 TDI, 1995 vintage - 5 speed gearbox. Having done quite a bit of work on it since acquiring it 18 months ago, it is now in a roadworthy condition. However, I cannot seem to get the transmission out of 4 WD while in High radio. It judders/hops when turning and the 4WD light stays on. If anyone out there in "Defender Land" has experienced this problem or can throw any light on what the problem might be that would be much appreciated, before I drop the front diff out - which is where I suspect the problem may lie. Thanks & Very Best Regards - Keith

Dippypud · Nov 22, 2020

Keith11a said:
Dear Landed Gentry (and Ladyships)
I would be extremely grateful for your wisdom on a problem that I have hit with my Defender 110 crewcab, 2.5 TDI, 1995 vintage - 5 speed gearbox. Having done quite a bit of work on it since acquiring it 18 months ago, it is now in a roadworthy condition. However, I cannot seem to get the transmission out of 4 WD while in High radio. It judders/hops when turning and the 4WD light stays on. If anyone out there in "Defender Land" has experienced this problem or can throw any light on what the problem might be that would be much appreciated, before I drop the front diff out - which is where I suspect the problem may lie. Thanks & Very Best Regards - Keith

Have you popped underneath with a torch, whilst an accomplice wiggles the sticks to see if the linkage moves at all / or just needs encouragement and some lube ... oo err Matron ....

flat · Nov 22, 2020

You aren’t stuck in ‘4wd’ as the thing is permanent 4 wheel drive.

you mean ‘difflock’ - you are stuck in difflock which is your centre differential in the transfer box not the front or rear differentials

highly likely all that’s happened is the difflock linkage under the car has come adrift - usually because a split pin corrodes away etc.

get someone to wiggle the smaller of the 2 gear sticks while you lay underneath it looking for movement

Rougharse Racing · Nov 22, 2020

Before you faff about too much, just jack one wheel off the ground briefly and see if the diff lock releases. It won't come out of diff lock while the transmission is wound up.

Keith11a · Nov 22, 2020

Many thanks to all for the swift replies, I will give your suggestions a try. Much appreciated.

tottot · Nov 22, 2020

Another way to get a sticky one to let go is drive in reverse a bit [ 50 yards approx ]. If that does not get it to let go there is a problem with the linkage or centre diff itself .

Cavey_P38 · Nov 22, 2020

as flat says

flat said:
You aren’t stuck in ‘4wd’ as the thing is permanent 4 wheel drive.

you mean ‘difflock’ - you are stuck in difflock which is your centre differential in the transfer box not the front or rear differentials

highly likely all that’s happened is the difflock linkage under the car has come adrift - usually because a split pin corrodes away etc.

get someone to wiggle the smaller of the 2 gear sticks while you lay underneath it looking for movement

my l200 sticks a bit, reverse trick always work especially if u brake hard to come to halt and it locks the wheels

Have only had my 90 stick once and that was lack of use and stuck stick, with my winter tyres on it i rarely if ever need diff lock, but don't pay and play just farm use but some of that is probably more than most green laning

try reverse if not lots of wd40 and a good wiggle on the stick, then add grease or copper slip once released

good luck

Keith11a · Nov 23, 2020

Hi Landy Folk - Further to your excellent advice, the linkage appears to be OK. My glamorous assistant and I "borrowed" a wheel free ramp from a local establishment and got all 4 wheels off the ground. In neutral in the transfer box, all 4 wheels are locked together - if we select Low we can feel the lower range through turning the wheels. In High all the wheels lock together. Could the transfer case diff be broken? Many thanks again for your help.

rob1miles · Nov 23, 2020

How many miles has it done since its been back on the road?

Keith11a · Nov 23, 2020

Probably about 100 miles.

flat · Nov 23, 2020

sounds like its stuck in difflock tbh, if the linkages are actually okay, and dont jsut look okay, then its internal

Stuck in 4WD!?

Keith11a

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Dippypud

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flat

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Rougharse Racing

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Keith11a

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tottot

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Cavey_P38

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Keith11a

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flat

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